Collection Overview

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection contains the papers of William Maxwell (1908-2000), American author and editor of The New Yorker from 1936-1976. Contents include the manuscripts of published works, reviews, poetry and novels of Maxwell and other writers, as well as newspapers and journal clippings and items from his personal library. Literary and personal correspondence constitutes a large part of this collection. Correspondents include such literary figures as Mary McCarthy, Vladimir Nabokov, John Updike, Eudora Welty and William Carlos Williams.

Biographical Note

Born Aug. 16, 1908, lived his early years in Lincoln, Ill. When Maxwell was 10, his mother died of the flu. His father remarried, sold the house and moved the family to Chicago. The author relived those events repeatedly in his books. His first novel, "Bright Center of Heaven," was published in 1934. He also wrote the story collections "Billie Dyer" and "Over by the River," and the 1980 novel, "So Long, See You Tomorrow," which won the American Book Award. Hired in 1937 by The New Yorker's Katharine White, Maxwell was on staff for 40 years and worked with some of the magazine's most celebrated authors, including J.D. Salinger, John Cheever, John O'Hara, John Updike and Harold Brodkey. Married Emily Gilman Noyes in 1945, who died July 23, 2000. They had two daughters, Katharine and Emily. Maxwell died July 31, 2000, at age 91.

Subject/Index Terms

Administrative Information

Repository:
Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Access Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Per agreement with the donor, correspondence from J.D. Salinger to William Maxwell and from William Maxwell to J.D. Salinger is sealed until February 9, 2032.

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study scholarship or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would damage materials or involve violation of copyright law.

Other Information: Box/Folder: 006-013a. Notes: Enclosure is a note from Henderson to Maxwell; West, Mrs. James R..

Physical Description: 42 piece(s).

UnitID: 217

Folder 13b: From: McCarthy, Mary. To: Maxwell, William., 1963-1965

1 typed letter(s), 2 typed letter(s), signed w/env

Date Inputted: 2000/06/29

Other Information: Box/Folder: 006-013b. Notes: "Post it" states this is a sample of correspondence of Maxwll sent to the New Yorker for an article. See Copy of "Post it", enclosed. Includes notes, by maybe Maxwell..

Other Information: Box/Folder: 006a-027. Notes: O'Donovan, Michael, pseudonym, Numbers written on front side of letters and circled. BB#s on copies. Several undated letters. Presently, Presently known as Harriet Sheehy..

Physical Description: 35 piece(s).

UnitID: 534

Folder 28: From: Maxwell, William. To: Rice, Charles M.., 1969/01/15

1 typed letter(s)

Creator: Phillips Exeter Academy; Exeter, NH

Date Inputted: 2000/06/20

Other Information: Box/Folder: 006a-028.

Physical Description: 1 piece(s).

UnitID: 535

Folder 29: From: Maxwell, William. To: Shattuck, Charles., 1946-1963

1 typed letter(s), signed; 1 typed letter(s), signed

Date Inputted: 2000/06/23

Originals or Copies Note: Copy

Other Information: Box/Folder: 006a-029. Notes: 1 TL, dated 1946/08/29 was found in 011A-005..

Physical Description: 3 piece(s).

UnitID: 536

Folder 30: From: Maxwell, William. To: Shawn, William.

3 memo w/encl.; 1 typed note(s); 1 typed note(s) w/ reply; 1 encl.

Creator: New Yorker, NY, NY

Date Inputted: 2000/06/20

Other Information: Box/Folder: 006a-030. Notes: enclosure is a photocopy of TLS from Maxwell, William to: McCarthy, Mary.

Other Information: Box/Folder: 006A-043. Notes: 1 ALS has a clipped memo to Maxwell, from [?]. There is a inscription from [?], John. Includes a typed note. 'Post it' states that this material was with samples of correspondence of Maxwell sent to the New Yorker for an article.Original 'post it'..

Other Information: Box/Folder: 010-025b. Notes: Encl. Is a 3 page Acceptance Remarks by E.B. White. "Post it" states this is a sample of correspondence of Maxwell sent to the New Yorker for an article. See copy of 'post it'..